Joanie's Take: The Inside Scoop on America's Next Top Model

Model and America’s Next Top Model alum (cycle 6) Joanie Dodds gives her take on the season finale and its winner. (Psssst: It’s Caridee.)

This season has been great. Not as fabulous as my season last year, ha ha… but very exciting. Just thinking back through everything they have done – Spain, imitation sky diving, fabulous challenges, circus shoots, scary faces, crazy bitches, divas, Dennis Quaid and Fabio! Ew… Fabio. The top three have been decided! CariDee, Melrose and Eugena. These girls are wonderful, with great photos and fabulous attitudes, good or not.

The final three go on to shoot the ever-famous CoverGirl commercial and photoshoot for their Outlast Double Lip Shine. The girls all do relatively well. Caridee let that attitude shine! Melrose is such a perfectionist, and never lets it show that she is not a natural. After deliberating on both the commercials and shoots, Eugena was sent home for her uncertainty in the competition.

To read more of Joanie’s Takes on “America’s Next Top Model”, click here

Down to the final two, and it’s the Battle of the Blondes. I’m personally feeling this, because I’m blonde and I wanted to win to represent all of us! Melrose and CariDee go to a shoot for Seventeen Magazine without Jay Manuel to direct. Watching them work in a real editorial shoot was great. I can’t wait to see the pictures!

The final runway show was unbelievable – so theatrical with the ghostly bride theme and the staredown moment. I haven’t really seen these girls walk that much, were they even going to be good?? I love the ghostly bride thing, but I think I’m going to have nightmares. It reminded me too much of Interview with a Vampire. CariDee wasn’t that great! She looked like she was just strolling down the street! Work it girl! I thought Melrose was actually better on the runway.

Jay Manuel was on panel for the final judging, and even though this never happens, I thought it was a great idea. The comparison of the photos was tough to watch. These girls were so hard to put up against each other because they both had so many strong points. But the answer seemed so obvious. Remember, ANTM has to be a role model, as well as a great photo and runway model. Who wants to work with a perfectionist or a brat?

And the winner is……….. Caridee!! I’m so happy for her! Finally a blonde wins the competition, that girl better work it for all of us!

Joanie, I bet you’re thrilled that Melrose lost. LOL
I know, she’s kind of like Reese Witherspoon’s character in ELECTION. But to me, she deserved to win. Her runway walk was FIERCE with a capital F. Caridee’s was AWFUL!
I think Mr. Jay put it best when he said, “She’s everything we want our girls to be, yet we are punishing her for it.” Nigel was hellbent on not letting Melrose win. Poor thing, she was the best at all of the challenges and really gave 100 percent. This season has been the worst and the most ridiuclous! The cold water thing really turned me off on Tyra caring about her models.

y fav season that I could watch over and over agin was Japan with Eva as the winner. Sorry Joanie. Yours was good to, but I loved the Japan season.
Caridee is ok, but her look is not new. Much luck to her though as she does have a funny personality (when she’s not pissing Nigel off or crying)

Maren
on December 7th, 2006

Congratulations, Caridee!!!!! I knew you would do it! Go live your dream…. it was wonderful to see her win. I felt how much she really appreciated it. I think she’ll be the most sucessful model to come out of this show in it’s history.

misscat
on December 7th, 2006

i loved melrose and i was so sad that she lost. she worked her butt off and exceled every week. her photos were beautiful, her runway walk was fantastic (caridee’s was simply dreadful and ripping the other model’s dress was pretty bad~those things cost thousands of dollars).
caridee was pretty and had some nice shots but i was disappointed that her erratic and unprofessional behavior didn’t bite her in the butt. and being rude to your boss (nigel)!! unbelievable. we all know that those kinds of actions will get you fired in the real world. weren’t you fired for being late to the house of deiron (or however you spell beyonce’s awful line of clothes)?
twice in two seasons the rightful winner was robbed. i think joanie should have won last year. poor melrose, to be edited to be this season’s villain, work her butt off and not win. i hope she goes far in modeling and starts selling her clothes.

Paula Slater
on December 7th, 2006

CariDee is a beautiful woman. I think she will grow and grow and be extremely successful as a model and actress. We saw on the show that she was willing to make personality adjustments and to mature in her attitude. Melrose on the other hand appeared to be a spoiled, perfectionistic child to the end–she about threw a tantrum when her dress was accidently ripped. And if she hadn’t been on film, I can only imagine what a snotty scene she would have created. Whereas, Joanie from last season (and I think every runners up from past seasons) congratulated the winner, Melrose only thought of herself–no surprise there!

The bottom line, is that CariDee seized this opportunity to strive for the end goal but without shutting everyone else off–she cared about the other contestants. Melrose on the other hand made it clear that she was not there to win friends, she was only their for the competition–that is a very shallow and shortsighted viewpoint. The majority of people would much rather see future commercials about “this is my life as a covergirl” from a winner who wanted to enjoy friendship than from a loser like Melrose who couldn’t care less about anyone but herself.

Job well done America’s Next Top Model for picking the lovely CariDee!!!

Dawn
on December 7th, 2006

Caridee totally deserved to win. She is gorgeous, has a great personality and tries her best. Melrose was being a spoil-sport and crying about the dress being ripped…was it her own personal dress? NO! Do other models cry when there is a wardrobe malfunction? NO! It’s there job and accidents happen. Caridee can learn to work that runway but Melrose will always be the way she is. Horrible.
WOO HOO CARIDEE!

Paula Slater
on December 7th, 2006

CariDee is a beautiful woman. I think she will grow and grow and be extremely successful as a model and actress. We saw on the show that she was willing to make personality adjustments and to mature in her attitude. Melrose on the other hand appeared to be a spoiled, perfectionistic child to the end–she about threw a tantrum when her dress was accidently ripped. And if she hadn’t been on film, I can only imagine what a snotty scene she would have created. Whereas, Joanie from last season (and I think every runners up from past seasons) congratulated the winner, Melrose only thought of herself–no surprise there!

The bottom line, is that CariDee seized this opportunity to strive for the end goal but without shutting everyone else off–she cared about the other contestants. Melrose on the other hand made it clear that she was not there to win friends, she was only their for the competition–that is a very shallow and shortsighted viewpoint. The majority of people would much rather see future commercials about “this is my life as a covergirl” from a winner who wanted to enjoy friendship than from a loser like Melrose who couldn’t care less about anyone but herself.

Job well done America’s Next Top Model for picking the lovely CariDee!!!

Paula Slater
on December 7th, 2006

P.S. Jay Manuel being on the final judging panel was a great idea and well deserved! He is the one working the closest with these young ladies and really has some of the most valuable imput. I hope he sits on every final judging panel from now on.

anna
on December 7th, 2006

melrose was my favorite, she worked very hard in this competition.

Kels
on December 7th, 2006

Caridee rocks…so glad she won!

leigh
on December 7th, 2006

Joanie – Have loved reading your comments on the show! I am so happy for CariDee. She seems like a really sweet girl and I’m really looking forward to see her be successful (but she should have Miss J show her how to walk!)
Can’t wait for the next cycle!!

Sandy
on December 7th, 2006

Awesome Caridee! She was my favorite from the get go. I was so excited to see that her hard work, and her dedication paid off. Even though she had some bumps to overcome, it will in the end make her a better person and she will treasure the goal in which she was reaching for.

Can’t wait till next season. Also, love the picture with Tyra and Caridee.

Thanks,
S

KD
on December 7th, 2006

I’m so glad that CariDee won!

Its really funny how Melrose’s real personality finally showed up after she lost. If she had won, she would be a total brat and diva to work with. Although I agree she did work very hard, it was all very calculated that there was nothing sincere or natural about her.

CariDee really wanted to win and she’s very fun and carefree. I’m so glad that she won!

Stephanie
on December 7th, 2006

OMG!!!!…. I LOVE CARIDEE!!!… I was jumping up and down screaming when I found out she had won. I really dislike Melrose, but had to admitt that she is a beautiful girl with a technical (not natural) ability to model and take beautiful pictures. I was rooting for CariDee but thought that Melrose was going to win. I was wrong! I’m glad CariDee’s personality was able to beat out Melrose’s attitude. I mean if she could not even handle an accident or losing a challenge (after winning so many) without crying and calling people names, how is she going to cut it in the real modeling industry? Personally a Cover Girl should be friendly and relatable, I just don’t see Melrose having those role model qualities. Great Job CariDee!!! You really deserve this!

meggan
on December 7th, 2006

I think Melrose should have won…she is the one who worked her butt off on every challenge, she won most of them , i wouldnt go there to make friends!! its called a competition for a reason right !? But i feel that the Caridee is something we all of see before !! But maybe next season we will see something better, i dont think it was the best season at all!

Carrie
on December 7th, 2006

I thought the right choice was made in CariDee. She was outstanding the whole time as far as I am concerned. As for the insult to Nigel, get over it. It was a joke…it’s obvious that CariDee had that sort of sense of humor. I thought it was funny, probably due to that being my sense of humor, too.

I had really liked Melrose up until the last show when she had that obnoxious hissy about the dress and her crying during the commercial shoot. It’s a shame as she really had busted her tush to edge out the others. Grow up girl, it’s not all about you.

Congrats to you Cari.

Sarah
on December 7th, 2006

I was absolutely devastated that Caridee won. Caridee cannot hold a candle to Melrose. The finale seemed premeditated. I don’t think they wanted Melrose to win. At the end the showed all of Caridee’s great photos and Melroses few mishaps. Melrose was praised for her fabulous photos and amazing runway walk. Caridee is not in the same league. Melrose, there are politics everywhere. Don’t give up!

Fe
on December 7th, 2006

I am over the moon that CariDee won!!! Melrose alinated everyone and she just did not click with the viewers. Yes, she is excellent in the runway but lacking in personality. Walking a runway can be improved and taught and CariDee will conquer that. I am sorry but i just did not find Melrose attractive enough to be a cover girl. CariDee embodied fun, can be your bestfriend but still commands glamour, projects positive energy, and she is willing and eager to learn after constructive criticism. She does not shy from admitting her mistakes and saying “sorry”. She is ambitious without stepping other people toes to get what she wants, that’s why she won! Melrose is an opposite of that…

christine
on December 7th, 2006

Well….im very happy dat cariDEE win…shes the best among all the gals..she deserved to win this ANTM..
But i prefer the last season…which is Joanie season..bcoz its the best i guess….by the way i like joanie…em…shes great…and they went 2 bangkok, thailand…dat was d bestest…lol

lydia johnson
on December 7th, 2006

Guys, maybe that is sincerely who Melrose is! I think she showed her personality but nobody like it.
Yet, she won almost every challenge so she was doing something right. I liked her. She was the real underdog. She’s a perfectionist, so what? SHe is a diva, AND?? So is Naomi, Janice Dickinson, Linda Evangelista, who cares?
They still book shows. People love drama. Caridee will bring drama too, trust me. And Tyra defending her at the end saying Caridee is a nice girl, that was so lame. Why didn’t she say that about Melrose.

Melrose never disrespected any one unless they said stuff to her first. Except the Anchal thing…EVERYONE was talking behing Anchal’s back. Doesn’t make it right, but it’s the truth.

Girls are catty and got jealous when she was doing so great!
Maybe if they spent less time hating Melrose and working hard they would have been in the final two like her. I knew they wouldn’t pick poor melrose, just like they didn’t pick Jade last time. They just string along certian people for ratings.
But also, they’re models, not saints. They’re supposed to be crazy! Caridee eats crazy crunch for breakfast. She insults Nigel and yet she wins. This show is a J O K E
And how is Melrose any more fake than oh, TYRA?

Courtney
on December 7th, 2006

Melrose should have won.

sara
on December 7th, 2006

Melrose fan here! I so wanted her to win! I really thought the other girls were so jealous of her. What is wrong with hard work and determination? She won so many competitions for a reason…she is Fierce! I know we will see more of her.
You were ripped off Melrose!

kaita
on December 7th, 2006

I think that Melrose deserved to be ANTM. She did a wonderful job the entire time but her attitude was absolutely awful. I cannot stand a girl who thinks only of herself and constantly puts others down. She was just so mean and self-centered. On the other hand, Caridee was also a great contestant. I believe she has a great personality and it was obvious that she wanted to be there as well. Although her walked sucked, she did have some beautiful pics. The pics, along with her friendly, outgoing personality won her the title of American’s Next Top Model. I guess in the end, good does prevail.

elaine
on December 8th, 2006

did anyone else hear Melrose call Caridee a “hoe” during the commercial shoot? shes such a conniving person.. inviting Caridee to be a guest in her challenge win one week, and then calling her a hoe in the next..what a fake person. I would personally boycott the show if Smellrose won..what a horrible person

Patricia
on December 8th, 2006

I was so mad that Caridee won. I think that Melrose definitely should have won and by seeing them walk the runway, it was clear who the better model is. I thought Caridee looked ridiculous walking, she walks like a man. She doesn’t know how to walk like a model at all. Melrose worked her butt off and she won most of the competitions so I don’t understand how they decided Caridee is the better model. Caridee looks like any other average girl and I really think she has no class, no fashion sense and is trashy. Other than the cover of Seventeen magazine, I don’t think we will be seeing her anywhere else.

Andi
on December 8th, 2006

I am so glad that CariDee won. She has a better personality than Melrose. CariDee deserved it. Melrose looks too old to be a covergirl model. CariDee has been through so much. I hope she fulfills her dream out to the fullest.

Congrats CariDee.

Linda
on December 8th, 2006

Melrose should of won bottom line. She won the most contests, walks the best and does awesome photos…has for CairDee…well she has some good photos, and thats it. Don’t worry Melrose alot of designers probably would love to have you for their shows…KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!! BAD CHOICE THIS SEASON…STILL LOVE YOU TYRA

Kim
on December 8th, 2006

I am thrilled that CariDee won! It was bittersweet, however. Melrose worked very hard and has alot of talent and potential. She would have done well. I think she sabotaged it for herself. Noone is perfect. She “played” the part very well. I saw CariDee’s first personal appearance on Live with Regis and Kelly yesterday and was extremely unimpressed with her interview.

Blaire
on December 8th, 2006

How come your FAVORITE girl never wins? Melrose was consistent without even trying. I’m so sad she lost!

Sarah
on December 8th, 2006

Amen Erica! I was so upset Melrose did not win…what a let down. I guess passion, dedication, and your best being better than the rest doesn’t matter anymore. I’m very disappointed.

Wildflower
on December 8th, 2006

It is amazing what make up can do….wow!

danna
on December 8th, 2006

Congratulation Caridee!!!! i think that Caridee deserves to win because of her attitude and i can see that she really wants it and she has a lot of great pictures than melrose..I am a total fan of America’s Next Top Model and i’ve watched the whole season…

Keep it up Caridee ang good luck with your career.

God bless you always

Stephanie
on December 8th, 2006

I liked Melrose all along, but she was too fake! Caridee deserved to win bcause she was more true about herself. Way to Go, Caridee!!!!!

Erin
on December 8th, 2006

I agree with what everyone is saying about Melrose working the hardest, but the girl is just ugly. I think that was the main reason she lost, not because of her work ethic. She doesn’t look anything like a model.

erica
on December 8th, 2006

Elaine,
Melrose did call Caridee a ho and that really wasn’t nice.
But neither was Caridee who was being very rude to Melrose and basically telling Melrose to “shut up” when she was practicing her lines because it was making her nervous.
Don’t dish it if you can’t take it!

Christina
on December 8th, 2006

Another Melrose fan here! Melrose kicked Caridee’s butt in that fashion show and her photo was only a little bit worse than Caridees. Melrose should have won hands down!

I notice that the people bashing Melrose were bashing her personality but not her performance. Girls ALWAYS hate the successful one and Melrose won all the time. I CANNOT believe that the judges even talked about what the other girls thought -its SUCH an excuse and its not relevant – like cattiness and jealousy doesn’t existing in the modeling world yeah right!

Also, for those who were talking about her ‘hissy fit’ over clothes – a) she is a fashion designer and she knows how much work goes into making those clothes, b)she was still going down the runway so she is showing off a tattered dress and so of course she was upset. As far as the ho comment, Caridee has made many snarky comments towards Melrose and Melrose probably had enough!

I do think the judges pick out in advance who will win. Honestly what was the point of having that finale? Melrose obviously did a lot better. Its a slap in the face to people who watch the show.

lucy
on December 8th, 2006

Erin, it’s weird, but models don’t necceasrily have to be pretty. HAve you learned nothing from watching the show?LOL They have to have a look, confidence and convey certain emotions through pictures.

lucy
on December 8th, 2006

Erin, it’s weird, but models don’t necceasrily have to be pretty. HAve you learned nothing from watching the show?LOL They have to have a look, confidence and convey certain emotions through pictures.

Courtney
on December 8th, 2006

I’m upset that Melrose didn’t win. Melrose deserve to win. Through out the whole show, she took the best pictures and commerical. She totally rock the runway and Caridee’s commericals and runway are dreadful to watch. Melrose also won the most challenges.

Never watched the show, but congratulations to the winner. If she was picked as the winner, I’m sure she deserved it and will go on to be a beautiful model and example to all young women of the future

Kelley Brown
on December 8th, 2006

My sister went to school with Caridee!!! I don`t know for shur if i ever meet her tho.

Donna
on December 9th, 2006

Thank you Joanie for your weekly recaps of the show. You did a fantastic job and I hope you are going to be recapping season 8. I look forward to reading more from you here.

stephanie
on December 9th, 2006

I am so glad that caridee won she so deserved it. I do think that Melrose had the better walk but Caridee had the better pictures. She can always practice her run way walk if she does she will be totally fierce. I am looking foward to seeing her in seventeen magazine.

Magg
on December 10th, 2006

obviously caridee won becoz the judges love her.
and seriously,Melrose walked better..
beside this season…all the results are based on the walk in the final challenge.and this season was not.
Melrose deserved to win!

Brittany
on December 10th, 2006

I am so disapointed that Caridee won. If you look back on the competitions, the photos, and their walks the obvious choice is Melrose. I don’t understand how on the finale they showed all of Caridee’s good photos and Melrose’s not so good photos. They aren’t consistent in their praise either. This entire competition (save the first photo) they went on and on about how great Melrose is and yet at the end they don’t like half of her photos? What?!?! Yeah, Melrose has a bit of a diva attitude but what supermodel DOESN’T? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Tyra and Co. likes the sob stories and like girls who are into telling their sob story. The entire finale all Caridee was talking about was her psoriasis and how awful it was for her and how she was teased. Girl, who isn’t teased as a child? I have rosacea on my face and you don’t see me going around crying about it do you? Aside from the Seventeen cover I doubt we’ll see much of Caridee. There’s nothing special or unique about her look, her walk is awful, and the girl is just plain nuts and she’s disrespectful and fake. I see a lot of people saying how fake Melrose is but Caridee is just as fake if not more.

Cara
on December 10th, 2006

The twins should have been in the final two. They had the fiercest look. So what if they seemed awkward, skinny 6-footer girls usually are. But they make fantastic models. All their shots (except the ones with Fabio) are gorgeous.

me
on December 10th, 2006

melrose as the brat, joanie??? were you even watching when caridee was mouthing bad words, rolling her eyes at the judges, not to mention the bonus clips of her throwing food and disrupting melrose’s photo shoot??? i honestly wanted joanie to win last season, but seeing how poor judge of character she is(also a gullible victim of antm editing, of which she should know plenty about firsthand). i liked both melrose and caridee, but find it absolutely pull my hair out frustrating that people think caridee was this saint and melrose was the devil. neither were perfect, we are all human, and both will have some kind of future in the industry.

blah
on December 10th, 2006

i am surprised joanie become victim to the editing, when she should understand how it works having been through it last year. maybe she just cant think for herself.

Jess
on December 10th, 2006

Did anyone but me notice how mad that melrose was when she lost. I didnt like her i thought that she was a dramma queen. I think that caridee worked hard to and deserved to win but ill definatly admit that melrose worked her ass off to.

May
on December 12th, 2006

melrose should have won. she did everything that top model asked of her, but they decided to pick someone who they portrayed as a nice person. came to bite them in the butt after caridee’s failed and embarrassing attempt at the runway with kelly on live.
as for the wedding dress. people, it is couture. it’s worth a lot of money not to mention the amount of work that is put into each dress. that hole that was ripped was huge. i think it’s sad that someone who was determined and strong with a lot of knowledge of fashion didn’t win. i think in the end melrose will have longevity in this industry.

net
on December 13th, 2006

Obviously, they choose Caridee because she has the face that could sell something. Melrose looks old…no matter how good she was in the competition overall they were trying to find someone who could actually sell a product. Melrose needed quite a bit of work to look nice.

Natalie
on December 15th, 2006

I cant beleive Caridee won over Melrose…did you see her catwalk!??? Melrose was discriminated against because she was GOOD…she was the ideal model type and she wanted it more than Caridee. Bad choice tyra….very bad choice.

Caridee is so funny and bubbly, but seriously when caridee was doing that SUPER CRAZY catwalk, she didn’t look like she was running from something scary, she looked like she was having a ciegar, im happy she won though she’s very pretty

I would have to add that though Melrose won a lot of challenges she was not that photogenic. CariDee whooped her butt shen it came down to the last episode and they compared the pictures from throughout the season .. It was ridiculous how Melrose pictures looked compared to CariDee. I think CariDee’s walk was hidious However, she doesn’t understand the modeling industry like Melrose do . But you can learn the industry but you can’t learn talent.

sarah
on December 27th, 2006

Caridee deserved to win because she was the most honest person with herself and people around her. She is also from a small hometown as well and to put up with different types of people around her is rather difficult. Also, she is a true blonde.

lizzy
on January 3rd, 2007

note to all melrose fans- personality does count no model will always work alone and melrose did not work well with the others.

go caridee!!

Joytiii
on January 6th, 2007

Caridee didn’t deserve to win because Melrose was such a hard worker who was actually nice, even though all the other girls thought she was a horrible witch or something. But I don’t see the point in these girls becoming America’s Next Top Model because I never see them in a any magazines after their contract expires. Maybe those girls aren’t good enough as they appear to be on the show :|

noelle
on February 21st, 2007

PFFFFFFFF…..CariDee was soooooo much better than Melrose..! im glad she won ANTM and for all of the people that are saying that MElrose should have won never lived with her…they look at the program and say like oh she worked her butt off…but shes a really hard person to get along with and work with…CariDee did some stupid things but I think she matured over the show, took amaziiing pictures, and was a nice caring person when Melrose put a nice face only in front of the judges…2 fake!!….I would work and live with CariDee 100000 times before being with Melrose…

tom
on March 12th, 2007

have you heard the new PRODIGY remix of that Dj Ricky Worden Gabba Days track? its wicked. ive posted a link below so you can hear it for free.

wow they kinda look alike. i love them both. i was kinda suprised joanie dint win. she has more potential than danielle. and i am hella happy that melrose lost. i love caridee.

Stacy Adams
on May 15th, 2007

EVEYONE IS SO UPSET MELROSE LOST! YES SHE WON LOTS OF CHALLENGES BUT HELLO PEOPLE THIS IS THE MODELING WORLD! MELROSE LOOKS OLD AND IS ONLY GOING TO KEEP AGING! PEOPLE LIKE FRESH YOUNG LOOKS NOT AN OLD HAG. AND YES I SAID HAG BECAUSE SHE WAS SO MEAN AND WHEN SHE DIDNT WIN COULD NOT DEAL! THIS ISNT A MODEL ATTITUDE.ITS AN IM BETTER OR IF NOT OM GONNA WHINE!

SHE LOOKED AT LEAST 30! EVEN THE JUDGES SAID IT! SHES TOO OLD IN THE FACE!